​​Floating Population Targeted in Beijing Despite Anticipated Population Decline

01/07/2016

Overcrowded subway station in Beijing. Image: ttpaihang.com

Permanent population and floting population changes in Beijing. Image: sohu.com

The population of permanent residents in Beijing is expected to drop this year, however six core districts have proposed goals and measures to further check growth through closures and crackdowns.

Officials of Dongcheng, Xicheng, Chaoyang, Haidian, Fengtai and Shijingshan districts in Beijing recommended the measures at a meeting concerning the removal of non-essential functions that do not correspond with the activities of politics, culture, international exchange and technology innovation.

The measures include crackdowns on subletting of residential and commercial property, illegal residential use of underground space, illegal commercial use of residential area, and closure of street markets etc.

In Dongcheng District, for example, the Donghuamen Night Market has been closed recently. Nanluoguxiang Lane, known for its well-preserved quadrangle courtyards, Gui Jie, a street of popular restaurants, and areas surrounding the Palace Museum will be among priority areas where measures will be taken to reduce the population density. This district aims to reduce its permanent resident population by 32,000 this year.

Beijing plans to cap its permanent population at 23 million by 2020, with a decrease of 15 percent in six core districts comparing to 2014.

Six core districts of Beijing. Image: BWPI

Image: BWPI

Defined as people who have lived in the city for six months or more, the permanent residents of Beijing reached a population of 21.7 million by the end of 2015.